Have you ever been running around when it strikes — an itch that drives you crazy…down there?! (Why does it always happen when you’re in public? At first, it’s just annoying, and then it hits you: It could be a dreaded yeast infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 75 percent of women get a yeast infection at some time in their lives. But now that summer is here, and you’ll be spending more time in a damp bathing suit, it’ll up your chances of getting an infection.
Yeast thrives in warm, moist areas, such as bathing suits or workout gear, says gynecologist Dr. Mache Seibel. “When the vaginal environment becomes less acidic, yeast can grow and cause itching or burning—sure signs of an infection.”
What Are The Symptoms?
- Vaginal itching
- Vaginal discharge that may be thick, white
- Vaginal soreness, irritation or burning
- Rash or redness on the skin outside the vagina
- Burning during urination
- Painful vaginal intercourse
This is one infection that will certainly ruin your beach vacation and keep you out of a bathing suit for much longer than you prefer. Here are Dr. Seibel’s five tips to stay healthy and avoid an uncomfortable, and often painful, yeast infection.
How to Avoid An Infection
- Don’t hang out in your wet bathing suit, jogging, or cycling clothes this summer.
- Stay away from scented feminine products. Many women think that feminine hygiene sprays or powders can ward off or even treat infections when in reality the use of these types of products can make vaginal issues even worse.
- Wear cotton underwear if at all possible.
- Try RepHresh Pro-B, a once-daily probiotic supplement with 2 strains of lactobacilli clinically shown to balance yeast and bacteria to maintain feminine health.
- Don’t self-treat if you believe you might have an infection. It’s important to visit your gyno to be sure it’s really a yeast infection.
At the end of the day, there’s no foolproof way to prevent infections, but if you’ve ever had one, you know it’s worth trying to prevent one if possible.
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